Finnish player Sami Valimaki has defeated Spanish former winner Jorge Campillo in a playoff to annex the Qatar Masters for his second career victory on the European Tour.
Valimaki began the final round on Sunday a shot behind the leader Campillo but caught up on the back nine to take the lead with a birdie on the par-three 17th.
Yet Campillo, who shot a fourth-round 70 to Valimaki’s 69, birdied the par-five 18th to join the Finn on 18 under and force a playoff.
Campillo could only manage par on the first playoff hole as Valimaki made birdie to secure his first win since the Oman Open in 2020, which he also won in a playoff.
It’s the 11th European Tour win by a Finnish golfer and the first since Kalle Samooja won the European Open in June last year.
“It’s hard to talk. It’s been a long journey and feels great,” Valimaki said. “I work so hard and I feel like I’ve earned it a couple of times, but it hasn’t come my way. That’s why it feels so amazing.”
Campillo was aiming to win the Qatar Masters for the second time after taking the title in 2020.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Spain’s Nacho Elvira tied for third on 16 under, two shots off the leaders, while Australian Jason Scrivener had a fine last round of 67 to earn his first top-10 finish since January at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Scrivener enjoyed his best round of the week, a flawless 18 holes with five birdies, to end on 13 under, finishing in a six-way tie for ninth place.
